A proposal to use marijuana to battle opioid addiction is being processed by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Tuesday marks the deadline for public comments on the proposal to add opioid addiction to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in Maine.

DHHS spokesman John Martins says the agency has until July 10 for a decision.

Advocates point to a study in the Journal of Pain this year that found chronic pain sufferers reduced opioid use when taking medical cannabis. But the research falls short of concluding marijuana helps wean people off heroin and prescription opioids.

Maine legalized marijuana for medical use in 1999. A separate proposal on the November ballot would legalize marijuana for recreational use in Maine.

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